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Parents' Guide to

Thanks for the Trouble

By Andrea Beach, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Intriguing romance with fantasy twist; great for guys, gals.

Book Tommy Wallach Romance 2016
Thanks for the Trouble Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

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age 15+

Based on 2 parent reviews

Momof3mce
Momof3mce Adult
January 7, 2020
age 16+

No good

A teenage girl takes her own life and the boy doesn't tell anyone!
ming.tuan
ming.tuan Adult
February 28, 2018
age 13+

Amazing

The way tommy writes makes you want to read the book even more. I have read this book three times. It is still one of my favorites. But there are some swearing, drinking and kissing and stuff, but if your kid is mature they can handle it
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Parker Santé, 17, spends most of his time in hotel lobbies, waiting for someone to leave something behind so he can take it for himself. Ever since his father died, not only has Parker been unable to speak, he's also been aimless, drifting along without anything particular to live for. When a mysterious, silver-haired girl leaves behind a huge wad of cash, Parker picks it up and almost takes off with it. But something draws him back to Zelda, whose answers about herself only raise more questions. The two strike a bargain for their futures, with spending the big wad of cash serving as timekeeper. Will either of them find a reason to say THANKS FOR THE TROUBLE before the cash runs out?

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (2 ):
Kids say (1 ):

This intriguing romance brings fresh appeal to the boy-meets-girl story with a surprising fantasy twist. The framework of a college-application essay gives author Tommy Wallach (We All Looked Up) the opportunity to ask readers to decide for themselves whether to believe Parker’s story or not. It’s an engaging way to get older teens thinking about applying for college, letting go of the past, what to hope for in the future, and why people are worth taking the trouble to look at beneath the surface.

Narrator Parker is not easy to like at first, but as teens learn more about him, he becomes easy to relate to and root for. His original fairy tales blend the past and present and reinforce our understanding of Parker as a talented writer. Without an ounce of sap, this refreshing, modern, bittersweet love story will appeal to boys and girls alike.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about books and other media such as movies and TV programs that show underage drinking. Does Thanks for the Trouble glamorize drinking?

  • Is the use of strong language and profanity in Thanks for the Trouble realistic? How do you talk among friends? Are there words you avoid using? Why?

  • If you were in charge of college admissions, would you accept Parker based on his essay? Why, or why not? What do you think makes a good application essay?

Book Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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